Please use the Information Template to announce new things, the other languages are added as well

Please use the Information Template to announce new things, the other languages are added as well

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=== What is OpenSimulator? ===

=== What is OpenSimulator? ===

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OpenSimulator is an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server. It can be used to create a virtual environment (or world) which can be accessed through a variety of clients, on multiple protocols. OpenSimulator allows virtual world developers to customize their worlds using the technologies they feel work best - we've designed the framework to be easily extensible. OpenSimulator is written in [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-334.htm C#], running both on Windows over the [http://www.microsoft.com/net/ .NET Framework] and on Unix-like machines over the [http://www.mono-project.com/ Mono] framework. The source code is released under a [[BSD License]], a commercially friendly license to embed OpenSimulator in products. If you want to know about our development history, see [[History]].

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OpenSimulator is an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server. It can be used to create a virtual environment (or world) which can be accessed through a variety of clients, on multiple protocols. It also has an optional facility (the [[Hypergrid]]) to allow users to visit other OpenSimulator installations across the web from their 'home' OpenSimulator installation. In this way, it is the basis of a nascent distributed Metaverse.

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Out of the box, OpenSimulator can be used to simulate virtual environments similar to [http://www.secondlifegrid.net Second Life™], given that it supports the core of [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Protocol SL's messaging protocol]. As such, these virtual worlds can be accessed with the regular [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Alternate_viewers SL viewers]. However, OpenSimulator is neither a clone of Second Life's server nor does it aim at becoming such a clone. On the contrary, OpenSimulator lacks support for many of the game-specific features of Second Life (on purpose), while pursuing innovative directions towards becoming the bare bones, but extensible, server of the 3D Web.

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OpenSimulator allows virtual world developers to customize their worlds using the technologies they feel work best - we've designed the framework to be easily extensible. OpenSimulator is written in [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-334.htm C#], running both on Windows over the [http://www.microsoft.com/net/ .NET Framework] and on Unix-like machines over the [http://www.mono-project.com/ Mono] framework. The source code is released under a [[BSD License]], a commercially friendly license to embed OpenSimulator in products. If you want to know about our development history, see [[History]].

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OpenSimulator is getting more stable as it approaches release 1.0, but we still consider it alpha software; so should you.

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Out of the box, OpenSimulator can be used to simulate virtual environments similar to [http://www.secondlifegrid.net Second Life™], given that it supports the core of [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Protocol SL's messaging protocol]. As such, these virtual worlds can be accessed with the regular [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Alternate_viewers SL viewers]. However, OpenSimulator does not aim to become a clone of the Second Life server platform. Rather, the project aims to enable innovative feature development for virtual environments and the Metaverse at large.

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OpenSimulator is getting more stable over time but is still a high complex software system that can suffer various bugs and quirks; handle with care!

=== Features ===

=== Features ===

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* Supports 3D virtual spaces of variable size within one single instance.

* Supports 3D virtual spaces of variable size within one single instance.

* Supports multiple clients and protocols - access the same world at the same time via multiple protocols.

* Supports multiple clients and protocols - access the same world at the same time via multiple protocols.

* Supports inworld scripting using a number of different languages, including LSL/OSSL, C# and VB.NET

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* Supports inworld scripting using including LSL/OSSL and C#.

* Provides unlimited ability to customize virtual world applications through the use of [[IRegionModule|scene plugin modules]].

* Provides unlimited ability to customize virtual world applications through the use of [[IRegionModule|scene plugin modules]].

For a more extensive list, see the [[Feature Matrix]].

For a more extensive list, see the [[Feature Matrix]].

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=== Running an OpenSimulator-Based World ===

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=== Running an OpenSimulator-Based World ===

*[[Download|Downloading OpenSimulator]]

*[[Download|Downloading OpenSimulator]]

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*[[Dependencies|Required Modules]]

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*[[Dependencies|Required Dependencies]]

*[[Build Instructions|Building OpenSimulator]]

*[[Build Instructions|Building OpenSimulator]]

*[[Configuration|Configuring and Running OpenSimulator]]

*[[Configuration|Configuring and Running OpenSimulator]]

*[[Server Commands]]

*[[Server Commands]]

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*[[FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions in Running OpenSimulator]]

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*[[FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions]]

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*[[:Category:Tech Reference|Technical Reference Pages]]

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=== Participating in the OpenSimulator Community ===

=== Participating in the OpenSimulator Community ===

OpenSimulator is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source open source] project, and is powered by the community members that devote time and energy to the effort. There are many ways to participate and contribute to the community:

OpenSimulator is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source open source] project, and is powered by the community members that devote time and energy to the effort. There are many ways to participate and contribute to the community:

* Create an OpenSimulator related project hosted on the [http://forge.opensimulator.org Forge] or [[Related_Software|elsewhere]] on the web. In the forge there are over a dozen registered projects, and it's a great way to further extend the OpenSimulator community.

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* Create an OpenSimulator related project hosted on the [http://forge.opensimulator.org Forge] or [[Related Software|elsewhere]] on the web. In the forge there are over a dozen registered projects, and it's a great way to further extend the OpenSimulator community.

* Participate to open content creation for OpenSimulator. More details at [[Artist Home]].

* Participate to open content creation for OpenSimulator. More details at [[Artist Home]].

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* Blog about OpenSimulator, and let us know about that blog on [irc://irc.freenode.net/opensim #opensim] so it can be added to [http://planet.opensim.us Planet OpenSim]

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* Participate in the weekly [[Office Hours]] for OpenSimulator development.

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* Participate in one of the weekly [[Office Hours]] for OpenSimulator. We currently have weekly office hours for development, wiki work, and testing.

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Make sure to read through [[Contributions Policy]] before starting participation. It has the policy, guidelines, and licensing conditions for the OpenSimulator project.

OpenSimulator is an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server. It can be used to create a virtual environment (or world) which can be accessed through a variety of clients, on multiple protocols. It also has an optional facility (the Hypergrid) to allow users to visit other OpenSimulator installations across the web from their 'home' OpenSimulator installation. In this way, it is the basis of a nascent distributed Metaverse.

OpenSimulator allows virtual world developers to customize their worlds using the technologies they feel work best - we've designed the framework to be easily extensible. OpenSimulator is written in C#, running both on Windows over the .NET Framework and on Unix-like machines over the Mono framework. The source code is released under a BSD License, a commercially friendly license to embed OpenSimulator in products. If you want to know about our development history, see History.

Out of the box, OpenSimulator can be used to simulate virtual environments similar to Second Life™, given that it supports the core of SL's messaging protocol. As such, these virtual worlds can be accessed with the regular SL viewers. However, OpenSimulator does not aim to become a clone of the Second Life server platform. Rather, the project aims to enable innovative feature development for virtual environments and the Metaverse at large.

OpenSimulator is getting more stable over time but is still a high complex software system that can suffer various bugs and quirks; handle with care!

Features

Supports online, multi-user 3D environments as small as 1 simulator or as large as thousands of simulators.

Supports 3D virtual spaces of variable size within one single instance.

Supports multiple clients and protocols - access the same world at the same time via multiple protocols.

Create an OpenSimulator related project hosted on the Forge or elsewhere on the web. In the forge there are over a dozen registered projects, and it's a great way to further extend the OpenSimulator community.

Participate to open content creation for OpenSimulator. More details at Artist Home.